Everyone wants to save money at the gas pump. So why not track and improve your fuel efficiency every time you drive. Natural Resources Canada has produced a handy Fuel Consumption Calculator that you can tuck into your glove compartment. The tri-fold calculator gives you a sliding rule to calculate how many kilometres you're driving, the total number of litres of fuel consumed, the litres per 100 kilometres, the estimated annual carbon dioxide emissions and your fuel costs. There really is no better way to see where your fill-up dollars are going.

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Tips to Reduce Your Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Vehicle purchasing.

Buy the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your everyday needs. Consult the EnerGuide label affixed to new vehicles.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

A poorly maintained vehicle can consume more fuel than one that is properly maintained.

Keep your tires inflated at the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Measure your tire pressure with a gauge at least once a month, when the tires are cold. An under-inflated tire can increase fuel consumption.

Avoid unnecessary idling.

If you idle your vehicle for more than 10 seconds, you use more fuel than it would take to restart your engine.

Drive at the posted speed limit.

Driving 100 km/h rather than 120 km/h can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.

Use ethanol- blended gasoline where available.

Ethanol-blended gasoline contains up to 10 percent ethanol (E-10), a renewable fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Did you know?

One litre of gasoline produces about 2.4 kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂). CO₂ emissions are a major contributor to climate change. On average, Canadians produce half of their annual five tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from driving.

Tear off the scale and insert it in the calculator sleeve.

How to Use the Calculator and Log

1. At first fill-up, record the odometer reading in the log.
2. At each subsequent fill-up, record the new odometer reading.
3. Subtract the previous reading from the new reading, and record this figure under kilometres travelled.
4. Record the amount of fuel purchased in litres (equals amount of fuel consumed since last fill-up).
5. Using the scale (top window), line up the amount of fuel consumed with the distance travelled in kilometres. Read the numbers aligned with the arrows in the middle window and enter in the log. The scale gives the equivalent values in litres per 100 kilometres (L/100km) and miles per imperial gallon (mi./gal.). The fewer the L/100km, the better the fuel consumption; conversely, the greater the mi./gal., the better the fuel consumption.
6. The bottom window indicates the CO₂ emissions based on the estimated annual fuel use from driving 20 000 km – 55 percent in the city and 45 percent on the highway.

Fuel Consumption Log

Date	Odometer reading	Kilometres travelled	Litres of fuel consu -med	L/100 kg (or mi./gal.)	Estimated annual CO2 emissions (kg)	Fuel cost ($)
1/7/05	17 700 km
15/7/05	18 200 km	500 km	40 L	8 L/100 km (35 mi./gal.)	3840 kg/year	$28.00

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